It’s easy to say “Fuck Amazon/Walmart/Target!” but nothing actually sticks it to Bezos like buying the goods that enrich your life from real-life local artists, makers and vendors! Besides that general malaise of feeling good about yourself, let’s be real that all the things you buy last longer and are of just a better general quality. We here are the Boston Hassle want to help make it as easy as possible to fill up your weekends with fun trips to the DIY market scene so we’re going to be outlining the best and brightest every month here at the Flea Bite!
Spotlight:
Black Market Flea April 14th at the Cambridge Community Center
Disclaimer: Black Market Flea is organized by the Boston Hassle crew, HOWEVER, I experienced this market for the first time before I joined the team and can honestly say it’s my favorite one going on in town. It’s taken a few months off but much like these flowers starting to bud, it is time to bloom! All the vendors you could ever want packed into a giant party and as DIY as you could ever want. Join the crowds and pick through the booths to find the find the most fun thing you can. All kinds of stuff, activities and fun are to be had from the most grassroots market in town. Last time out, I bought my new favorite shirt that had someone calling a snail a bitch. They’ve got it all!
This one-day event brings together everything from secondhand to handmade including artwork, zines, records, body care, baked goods, books, patches, pins, t-shirts, leather goods, fiber arts, woodwork, pottery, vintage clothing, jewelry, skateboards, tea, astrology readings, hair cuts and MORE!! Basically, if you’re on a scavenger hunt, you can check off every box. Better yet, challenge your friends to a scavenger hunt and then whoop their ass by showing up here!
A Little Bazaar’s The Hole Thing April 20th, Lowell MA at Mill No. 5
A Little Bazaar happens every Saturday at Mill No. 5 in Lowell MA but the extra special That Hole Thing happens on 4/20 spotlighting vinyl record dealers and doughnut vendors. There’s nothing better than that fragrance of fried dough in your nostrils as you thumb through some vinyl bins in the morning. This one should be a blast and who knows, maybe they’ll have other things with holes in them. Bagels? Binder paper? Courtney Love’s band? Only way to find out is to show up! Stuff yourself silly, grab a couple records and celebrate the holiday as it should be celebrated!
Calendar:
April 6, 13, 20, 27: A Little Bazaar at Mill No. 5 in Lowell, MA
Every Saturday this market is going on in Lowell, MA with April 6th being focused on Oddities, that Hole Thing on April 20 and April 27th being a Mammoth Makers Market.
https://www.facebook.com/alittlebazaarpresents/
April 13: Underground Kollection (Parts Unknown):
From the event organizer: “I’m bringing back old school hip-hop and I would love to have you be apart of history in the making. We’ve teamed up with some of the best graffiti artist in Boston and throughout the city to put this event together and I’m proud to let you guys be the first ones to know. The event will take place April 13th and doors will be open from 7 to 12. There will also be amazing performances and art displayed by local artist throughout the city!” I mean, that sounds like a damn good time to me!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-underground-kollection-tickets-56832104354
April 14th: BLACK MARKET FLEA! Cambridge Community Center
Read all about it above in the spotlight!
https://www.facebook.com/events/341901549757609/
April 24th: the Flee Market in Somerville at 11 Sanborn Ct. 6-10:30pm
https://www.thefleemarketsite.com/
April 27th: JP Flea at Eliot School for Fine Arts (Rain Date 4/27)
The return of Jamaica Plain’s favorite market! This outdoor market is free and from 10AM – 5PM in the huge lot between Jamaica Pond and Centre St.
“This market will feature 100+ local and Latin American artists, vintage/antique dealers, small businesses and various artisans from the area. We’ll also be hosting our other project Mendi’s Boston, which offers both drop off and on-the-spot local repair services in the Jamaica Plain area. Mendi’s is all about helping people invest in what they have, while getting tuned into local resources.
art + zines + local repair services + gifts + handmade knits + records + vintage clothing + handprinted cards + jewelry + local raw honey + herbal wellness + teas + books + henna tattoos + pottery + succulents + prints + t shirts + candles + home decor + crystals + antiques + tarot/palm/pendulum readings + more!”
April 28th: Return of the Central Flea in Central Square
Central Flea returns with a Mexican food feast! Buy your goods, eat some tamales, enjoy this spring weather and maybe have your Sunday derailed chatting with characters over at the Cantab. You’ll only know if you attend.
April 28th: the Milford Meltdown Part 2
A Vintage themed flea market with food by Congo’s Empanadas and music by Kogar the Swinging Ape. Local artists, screening of horror movie classics and all sorts of adventures to be had. $10 per car at the Milford Drive In Theater, 531 Elm Street, Milford, New Hampshire 03055.
Spend your weekend supporting the local economy!
